Anderson County EMS Archives

Anderson County EMS sending ambulance, two employees to help with Hurricane Irma

Posted at 10:48 am September 8, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Anderson County EMS Paramedic Michael Rhinehart, left, and AEMT Justin Harmon left on Friday morning, Sept. 8, 2017, to help respond to Hurricane Irma in Florida. (Photo courtesy Nathan Sweet/Anderson County EMS)

Anderson County EMS Paramedic Michael Rhinehart, left, and AEMT Justin Harmon departed on Friday morning, Sept. 8, 2017, to help respond to Hurricane Irma in Florida. (Photo courtesy Nathan Sweet/Anderson County EMS)

An emergency medical services region in East Tennessee that includes Anderson County is sending a strike force of five ambulances and one command vehicle to Florida to help respond to Hurricane Irma.

The ambulances, crews, and command vehicle are from a 16-county region known as Region 2 in Tennessee, said Nathan Sweet, director of Anderson County EMS.

Anderson County EMS is sending one ambulance and two employees. The two employees are Paramedic Michael Rhinehart and AEMT Justin Harmon. (An AEMT is an advanced emergency medical technician.)

Rhinehart and Harmon left at 8:45 a.m. Friday, and they headed to Lenoir City to meet up with the strike force. From there, they are going to Chattanooga to meet up with a strike force from Region 1. It’s not clear yet where they will be deployed. [Read more…]

Teen rescued from cave in Claxton

Posted at 3:45 pm July 28, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

A teenager was rescued from a cave in Claxton on Thursday, July 27, 2017, and he was taken to a hospital to be evaluated for back and ankle pain, authorities said. (Photo by Anderson County Volunteer Rescue Squad)

Note: This story was updated at 1:30 p.m. July 29.

A teenager was rescued from a cave in Claxton on Thursday, and he was taken to a hospital to be evaluated for back and ankle pain, authorities said.

The 16-year-old boy had called 911 to say he was in a cave off Mehaffey Road in Claxton, and he was not able to find his way out, according to an Anderson County Sheriff’s Department incident report.

The cave was in woods behind Spring Hill Baptist Church.

A family member said the boy had previously asked to go into the cave, the report said. On Thursday, he told his grandmother that he was going to a neighbor’s house to mow the lawn but instead went to the cave alone, the report said. [Read more…]

Roane State paramedic alumni earn honors

Posted at 11:11 am July 14, 2017
By Owen Driskill Leave a Comment

Anderson County EMS Director Nathan Sweet, right, presents Lt. Steve Seals, a graduate of Roane State’s paramedic program, with an award naming him the EMS’s “Officer of the Year.” Sweet is also a Roane State paramedic program graduate. (Photo by Roane State)

Graduates of Roane State Community College’s paramedic program continue to distinguish themselves in their professions by earning honors bestowed by peers and supervisors, a press release said.

Two 2005 graduates of the paramedic program were recognized by Anderson County EMS during National EMS Week, held in late May each year.

Lieutenant Steve Seals was named “Officer of the Year,” while Millie Huddleston was recognized as “Paramedic of the Year.”

Co-workers and supervisors nominated them for the recognitions. In those nominations, Seals was described as exemplifying “our core values, including integrity first, service before self, as well as excellence in all we do,” the press release said. [Read more…]

Fire destroys Clinton house, no injuries reported

Posted at 12:47 pm June 8, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Information from WYSH Radio

A house on Carden Road in Clinton was destroyed by a Sunday afternoon fire.

Clinton Fire Chief Archie Brummitt told WYSH Radio in Clinton that the residents of 194 Carden Road had been getting ready to cook “dipping dogs” and had left grease in a pan on the stove to warm up while they ran to the store for a few last-minute items.

When they returned, their house was on fire.

Firefighters reported heavy black smoke coming from under the eaves of the house and flames coming from the back of the structure. CUB cut the power to the home, and fire crews began attacking the blaze from outside the house and on the interior. The firefighters inside were ordered out after the incident commanders determined that the fire was spreading quickly through the attic, which could have led to a ceiling collapse. [Read more…]

One person dies, four injured in two-vehicle crash near UT Arboretum

Posted at 7:23 pm May 26, 2017
By John Huotari 1 Comment

One person died and four people were injured in a two-vehicle crash involving a sedan and an SUV near the University of Tennessee Arboretum on South Illinois Avenue on Friday afternoon, May 26, 2017, authorities said. (Photo by John Huotari/Oak Ridge Today)

One person died and four people were injured in the two-vehicle crash near the University of Tennessee Arboretum on South Illinois Avenue on Friday afternoon, authorities said.

The crash was reported at about 2:47 p.m. Friday at Commerce Park Drive, which is across from the Arboretum.

The two vehicles involved were a sedan and a sport utility vehicle, the City of Oak Ridge said in a press release.

Three people were inside the sedan: two adults and one child. The adult passenger was killed. The adult driver and child passenger were injured.

Two adults inside the SUV were injured, the city said.

All of the victims were taken to the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. Two were taken by UT Lifestar medical helicopters and two by ambulance, the city said. The extent of their injuries and current conditions are unknown. Their identities haven’t been released. [Read more…]

Anderson County EMS has public information session this evening

Posted at 8:53 am May 24, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Anderson County Mayor Terry Frank and Nathan Sweet, director of the county’s Emergency Medical Service (EMS), will host a public information session this evening to answer citizens’ questions about the service, how it is funded, challenges going forward, and meeting the needs and expectations of Anderson County citizens, a press release said.

The public session will be held at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 24, in Room 312 at the Anderson County Courthouse in Clinton.

“Everyone is encouraged and welcome to attend,” the press release said.

Man killed in single-vehicle crash in Marlow on Wednesday

Posted at 8:44 am May 18, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

A 41-year-old Heiskell man was killed in a single-vehicle crash on Marlow Road near Dutch Valley Road early Wednesday night, authorities said.

Kenneth R. Roberts was going around a slight left curve while driving south on Marlow Road at about 9:18 p.m. Wednesday when he lost control, veered right, and went off the roadway, according to a fatality report filed by the Tennessee Highway Patrol.

The 1991 Dodge Dakota pickup truck that Roberts was driving continued at an angle off the roadway until it struck a tree stump with its front end, the THP report said.

The pickup stopped at the tree stump, facing south, the report said. [Read more…]

Missing four-year-old boy found with family dog after four-hour search

Posted at 4:54 pm May 5, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Note: This story was updated at 12:50 p.m. May 7.

A four-year-old boy reported missing with a family dog was found Friday afternoon after a four-hour search and help from a CodeRED alert, authorities said.

Anderson County Sheriff’s Department deputies responded to a report of a missing child at a home on Hinds Creek Road shortly before 11 a.m. Friday, Anderson County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Mark Lucas said.

“A four-year-old boy had wandered away from home apparently with the family dog,” Lucas said. “An intensive search began using Sheriff’s Department K-9 teams, including bloodhounds. A Blount County Sheriff’s K-9 bloodhound also responded to assist.”

Emergency personnel from the Andersonville Fire Department, Norris Fire Department, Claxton Fire Department, Clinton Fire Department, Clinton Police Department, Anderson County Rescue Squad, Anderson County Emergency Management, and Anderson County EMS came to the scene and helped with the search, both on foot and by using ATVs, Lucas said. [Read more…]

Police questioning suspect in fatal Clinton shooting

Posted at 6:24 pm April 28, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Information from WYSH Radio

The Clinton Police Department is questioning a man in a fatal shooting at Walmart in Clinton on Friday afternoon.

A suspect was quickly taken into custody after the shooting, which was reported at the Walmart store on Tanner Lane at about 1:15 p.m. Friday.

According to CPD Chief Rick Scarbrough, the person being questioned at the Clinton Police Department is the ex-husband of the victim’s wife.

During the first 911 call, dispatchers were told that a person was “down” in front of the lawn and garden entrance of the store. The caller said a man had been shot, and that another man, who she believed to be the shooter, was still in the parking lot of the store.

Officers were on the scene within three minutes, and the suspect was taken into custody. [Read more…]

Using DUI simulation goggles, ACHS students learn how alcohol, drugs impair driving

Posted at 3:09 am April 22, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

The School Resource Unit of the Anderson County Sheriff’s Department and Allies For Substance Abuse Prevention of Anderson County, or ASAP, in cooperation with Anderson County Schools, hosted a DUI Simulation Event on Friday morning, April 21, 2017 for students at Anderson County High School. (Photo courtesy Anderson County Sheriff’s Department)

Using DUI simulation goggles, students were able to see first-hand the effects of driving while under the influence, or DUI. These goggles simulate different levels of blood alcohol in a person’s system, a press release said. Students drove golf carts through a driving course and participated in field sobriety tests. All of the students who were “tested” could see how alcohol and drugs can seriously impair driving and coordination, the press release said.

The Tennessee Highway Patrol, Clinton Police Department, Anderson County EMS, Anderson County Rescue Squad, Andersonville Fire Department, Clinton Fire Department, and Lifestar, along with representatives with Anderson County Schools, were on hand for this event. [Read more…]

Clinton man sentenced to 30 years in death of mother fleeing dispute

Posted at 1:57 pm April 2, 2017
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Kieth William Pittman

CLINTON—A Clinton man was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Thursday for the 2014 stabbing death of a mother trying to flee a domestic dispute.

Kieth William Pittman, 28, pleaded guilty to an amended charge of second-degree murder and a second charge of tampering with evidence. He was sentenced to 25 years on the second-degree murder charge and five years on the tampering with evidence charge.

The sentences must be served consecutively, meaning Pittman has an effective 30-year sentence, Anderson County Criminal Court Judge Don Elledge said during a plea agreement hearing in Clinton on Thursday.

The victim, Heather McKamey, 22, was a mother of three boys. She and Pittman had two of the boys together.

McKamey was stabbed outside her apartment at 301 Park Avenue in north Clinton after an argument between her and Pittman became physical at about 2:25 a.m. Saturday, April 19, 2014, according to police reports and an affidavit filed in Anderson County General Sessions Court in Clinton.

“While both the victim (McKamey) and suspect (Pittman) were in the driveway, the suspect stabbed the victim in the stomach with the knife he had taken from the kitchen,” according to the affidavit, filed by Clinton Police Department Detective Sergeant Russell Barker. “Witnesses advised the victim fled down Park Avenue to McAdoo Street yelling for help, and the suspect chased her.” [Read more…]

Roane State paramedic alumni promoted

Posted at 3:16 pm March 26, 2017
By Owen Driskill Leave a Comment

Nathan Sweet, left, director of the Anderson County EMS, and Danny McCreary, deputy director, are pictured with two other graduates of Roane State’s Paramedic Program who were recently promoted to assistant supervisors, Carrissa Keathley, left, and Misti Smiddy. (Submitted photo)

By Bob Fowler, Roane State staff writer

CLINTON—Graduates of Roane State Community College’s paramedic program continue to receive promotions within area emergency medical services agencies, said David S. Blevins.

Blevins, director of EMS Education in the Allied Health Sciences Division of Roane State, said two paramedics, Carrissa Keathley and Misti Smiddy, have been promoted to the rank of lieutenant within the Anderson County EMS operation.

“They are great paramedics and strong additions to the supervisory team of Anderson County EMS,” said Director Nathan Sweet, who is also a graduate of Roane State’s paramedic program. [Read more…]